Manko

Arfy, Thanks for the feedback. I won't name the doctor who did the 100 graft surgeries because he no longer does transplants. The only things I could criticize him for would be that he seemed to be averse to doing larger sessions, and he was doing minis/micros. But to his credit he did make a professional choice to leave the field instead of staying in it and luring in unwitting customers. I understand that he is now the head of the medical school for a large college in the midwest. I had a photo consult with a highly recommended doctor on this website, and he felt that I could use 1000 max. I was slightly disappointed, because I am reluctant to go into the donor supply for such a small session, but on the other hand I don't really feel like waiting for my hairline to deplete. Especially since, like I had mentioned it took 18 years (from first signs of loss at 18 to now at 36) to get to where I'm at now. I don't want to wait another 18 just so that I can have a 2000 graft session. It's a tough decision, but I think I'm going to go for the hopefully 1000 FU session. Any thoughts are always appreciated. Regards, Manko

Huron, I haven't heard of this. Perhaps it has something to do with the life-cycle of your hair. It could be going into a resting phase, but it seems unusual that they are all going into it at the same time. Have you contacted your doctor, and/or does your family history show that you would've likely lost the hair behind the transplant anyway. Let me know. Manko

I'm curious what other people think about an FU transplant between 500 and 1000. I'm starting to think that the benefit is not worth the cost (i.e. the scar effect/the likely need for a future HT). On the other hand, if it will make a person happy and a doctor thinks that is all that is needed then why not. I bring this up because I've had two HT's of 100 FU in the past (200 total), and I definitely think there is no worthwhile benefit. In hindsight, I would've never done it, and I would've had $6,000 in my pocket. I've been slowly receeding since 18, and I'm 36 now. I keep thinking I should wait until I need a 2000 FU, but what if that is in another 18 years. I'm pretty miserable with the hairline look right now, and I'm also aware that having started HT's (even though on a small scale), I'm now a lifer. Just looking for some thoughts. Good luck, Manko

I'm curious what other people think about an FU transplant between 500 and 1000. I'm starting to think that the benefit is not worth the cost (i.e. the scar effect/the likely need for a future HT). On the other hand, if it will make a person happy and a doctor thinks that is all that is needed then why not. I bring this up because I've had two HT's of 100 FU in the past (200 total), and I definitely think there is no worthwhile benefit. In hindsight, I would've never done it, and I would've had $6,000 in my pocket. I've been slowly receeding since 18, and I'm 36 now. I keep thinking I should wait until I need a 2000 FU, but what if that is in another 18 years. I'm pretty miserable with the hairline look right now, and I'm also aware that having started HT's (even though on a small scale), I'm now a lifer. Just looking for some thoughts. Good luck, Manko

I found this in an article in the London Times - maybe there's an even better answer. Keep hope alive. -------------------------- Scientists offer hope of cure for baldness By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent THE chemical triggers that turn skin into hair have been identified, offering hope of new treatments for baldness and unwanted body hair. A pair of natural proteins combine to tell cells to become hair follicles rather than skin, according to new research that explains why hair grows "??? and stops growing "??? in some parts of the body and not in others. The findings, by scientists in the United States, suggest that it will be possible to develop drugs that mimic the crucial chemical signals and restore a full head of hair to men who have lost it. The principle could also be reversed to create advanced depilatory treatments that inhibit the same process and remove unsightly hair. Elaine Fuchs, who led the study at Rockefeller University in New York, said that the results were a breakthrough. "Drugs to activate these natural factors could promote hair follicle growth in wanted places, and inhibitory drugs could prevent hair growth in unwanted places," she said. Hair follicles and skin are formed from the same sort of stem cells "??? master cells genetically programmed so that they can form either variety. Although this has long been understood, the precise instructions that tell skin stem cells to form one type of cell or the other have remained unclear. Hair loss occurs when follicles shrink and become dormant, often under the influence of male hormones. New follicles are not usually formed in adults, making baldness permanent, but the raw material for making fresh ones "??? stem cells that replace the skin every two weeks "??? is abundant in the scalp. The Rockefeller research, which is published today in the journal Nature, may have revealed a way to unlock this potential supply of replacement hair. "There is an enormous reservoir of stem cells there," Dr Fuchs said. "To understand the biology and development of stem cells in general, we are trying to answer the question of whether we can coax some ??skin' stem cells to become hair. These findings reveal some of the natural signals that promote the process of forming hair follicles." The key molecules are proteins known as noggin and Wnt, which combine to prompt skin stem cells to make follicles. They activate genetic instructions that tell cells to make a pit in the skin, from which hair will grow. In previous studies Dr Fuchs used the signalling protein betacatenin to create abnormally furry mice. But the animals also grew benign tumours. The new research has found a more fundamental set of signals that prompt hair growth. She has also identified the delicate interaction between noggin and Wnt. More research is needed before a hair loss drug based on the process is available, particularly because of the risk of cancer if it goes wrong. Clinical trials are not expected for at least five years. The work is also expected to cast light on the formation of other structures in the body, such as teeth and lungs, and on the origins of some forms of skin cancer. Hair-raising facts Number of hairs on a full scalp: 100,000-150,000 Growth rate: healthy hair grows at about 0.35mm (1/72in) daily, or 2.5cm (1in) every 2?? months Most common type of baldness: androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) "??? 95 per cent of hair loss in men Cause: dihydrotestosterone, a hormone interfering with hair growth Onset: as early as 15, but normally starts in 20s Prevalence: almost 70 per cent of men show signs of thinning by 40; 50 per cent of women show signs by 50 Surgical treatments: hair grafts or transplants Drug treatments: Propecia can stop loss for up to 80 per cent of men, and Rogaine has some effect for one in three

I found this in an article in the London Times - maybe there's an even better answer. Keep hope alive. -------------------------- Scientists offer hope of cure for baldness By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent THE chemical triggers that turn skin into hair have been identified, offering hope of new treatments for baldness and unwanted body hair. A pair of natural proteins combine to tell cells to become hair follicles rather than skin, according to new research that explains why hair grows "??? and stops growing "??? in some parts of the body and not in others. The findings, by scientists in the United States, suggest that it will be possible to develop drugs that mimic the crucial chemical signals and restore a full head of hair to men who have lost it. The principle could also be reversed to create advanced depilatory treatments that inhibit the same process and remove unsightly hair. Elaine Fuchs, who led the study at Rockefeller University in New York, said that the results were a breakthrough. "Drugs to activate these natural factors could promote hair follicle growth in wanted places, and inhibitory drugs could prevent hair growth in unwanted places," she said. Hair follicles and skin are formed from the same sort of stem cells "??? master cells genetically programmed so that they can form either variety. Although this has long been understood, the precise instructions that tell skin stem cells to form one type of cell or the other have remained unclear. Hair loss occurs when follicles shrink and become dormant, often under the influence of male hormones. New follicles are not usually formed in adults, making baldness permanent, but the raw material for making fresh ones "??? stem cells that replace the skin every two weeks "??? is abundant in the scalp. The Rockefeller research, which is published today in the journal Nature, may have revealed a way to unlock this potential supply of replacement hair. "There is an enormous reservoir of stem cells there," Dr Fuchs said. "To understand the biology and development of stem cells in general, we are trying to answer the question of whether we can coax some ??skin' stem cells to become hair. These findings reveal some of the natural signals that promote the process of forming hair follicles." The key molecules are proteins known as noggin and Wnt, which combine to prompt skin stem cells to make follicles. They activate genetic instructions that tell cells to make a pit in the skin, from which hair will grow. In previous studies Dr Fuchs used the signalling protein betacatenin to create abnormally furry mice. But the animals also grew benign tumours. The new research has found a more fundamental set of signals that prompt hair growth. She has also identified the delicate interaction between noggin and Wnt. More research is needed before a hair loss drug based on the process is available, particularly because of the risk of cancer if it goes wrong. Clinical trials are not expected for at least five years. The work is also expected to cast light on the formation of other structures in the body, such as teeth and lungs, and on the origins of some forms of skin cancer. Hair-raising facts Number of hairs on a full scalp: 100,000-150,000 Growth rate: healthy hair grows at about 0.35mm (1/72in) daily, or 2.5cm (1in) every 2?? months Most common type of baldness: androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) "??? 95 per cent of hair loss in men Cause: dihydrotestosterone, a hormone interfering with hair growth Onset: as early as 15, but normally starts in 20s Prevalence: almost 70 per cent of men show signs of thinning by 40; 50 per cent of women show signs by 50 Surgical treatments: hair grafts or transplants Drug treatments: Propecia can stop loss for up to 80 per cent of men, and Rogaine has some effect for one in three

I'm impressed with the level of your research into Ms. Betty. Call me ignorant, but my guess is that you're more than just a patient.